Electrical weed control a new IPM treatment for the Amenity Market.

Who are Ubiqutek? Ubiqutek are pioneering the safe use of electricity as a viable and cost-effective alternative weed control technology for killing weeds. Founded in the United Kingdom in 2012, Ubiqutek builds on over 40 years of academic research by Dr. Mike Diprose, a leading expert in electrical weed control.

Their vision is to improve the environment by offering a greener and organic alternative to chemical weed control.

The technology is well proven and Ubiqutek was founded in response to current legislation banning or restricting the use of herbicides and to address the growing concern of weeds increasingly becoming resistant to herbicides.

What does their technology do and how does it work? Their technology uses electricity to kill weeds from tip to root. When a weed is touched, electricity flows down the stem and into the roots, boiling the weed in-situ and turning any water into steam. It is very precise and only kills the weeds it touches and does not impact the surrounding soil.

Why is it so effective? Electricity is one of the only technologies to systemically kill weeds other than chemicals. This is because the flow of electricity kills the growth and control centres of a weed which are located just below the surface of the ground. Other alternative methods are generally applied above the surface and do not penetrate down into the root as effectively. In addition, it is significantly more efficient compared to other thermal methods because our technology applies energy directly rather than through a different medium.

What weeds does it work on? Electricity effectively kills all species of weeds, including tap-root, vascular, rhizome, deep-rooted & woody weeds. Because it also kills the roots, then it is used to effectively treat perennial, biennial, annual and invasive weeds, including Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam & Ragwort. This makes it an extremely viable and cost-efficient alternative weed control method. With Japanese Knotweed, we have had positive results when treating worst-case Japanese Knotweed and plan to participate in the world’s most extensive study comparing different approaches over a 3-year period.

Ubiqutek Touch Pro is a professional weeder and uses a hand-held lance to target and kill weeds. It is designed for the horticulture and amenity sectors and is ideal for growers, gardeners and maintenance staff to spot weed and for ongoing weed management. We are taking pre-orders for delivery next Spring. To reduce size, weight and cost, the machine needs an external 240V feed from either a generator (6kW) or the mains (32A).

What is the cost? Touch Pro costs £12,500 + VAT. Running costs are extremely low as it requires no consumables other than energy in, for example, a generator might use c.£8 of red diesel over an 8 hour working day.

What are the advantages of using electricity? The key advantages of using electricity are:  No chemicals or residue, organic and suited for use where herbicides are banned or restricted  Systemically kills all species of weed, including woody, deep-rooted and tall weeds  No impact on surrounding plants or wildlife with area safe to return immediately after treatment  Cost competitive with consumable cost of using herbicides  Near instantaneous treatment of small weeds makes it an ideal weed management tool  Increased utilisation as no consumables and can be used in cold and windy weather and on wet ground  Root structures shocked without disturbing surrounding soil and dominant seeds  Resistance can never develop against electricity

What are the features of Touch Pro? The features of Touch Pro are:  Runs from generator (5kW), mains (32A) or any other suitable power source  Compact design suitable for small utility vehicles  Light and ergonomic treatment lances with in-built user controls  25m treatment cable with optional extensions  Quality, reliable materials and components, designed for high voltages and regular use  Patented earth system to ensure safe operation and emergency stop to quickly shut-down system  Optional biometric access to restrict use to trained operatives  Flexible voltage controls for tailored treatment of different species, shapes and sizes of weed

 A variety of treatment electrodes to cover different weeds and environments  Compulsory user training, with additional operator and refresher courses available.

website http://ubiqutek.com/

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